Australian Open 2014: Extreme heat policy to protect tennis stars and fans

A NEW extreme heat policy - with a “traffic light” warning system - will be introduced at next month’s Australian Open to protect tennis stars and fans.

2014 Australian Open - Day 4

A NEW extreme heat policy will be introduced at next month’s Australian Open to protect tennis stars and fans.

A “traffic light” warning system to gauge dangerous temperatures will be served up at the two-week tournament, which has been hit by heatwaves in recent years.

The new green, amber and red warnings will determine when players are issued with ice vests and trigger reminders for spectators to slip, slop, slap, and to seek shade and water.

A clearer trigger point will also be introduced to suspend play, rather than having players and fans guessing.

Matches were suspended on all courts and almost 1000 fans treated for heat exhaustion when the mercury hit 43C on day four of this year’s Open.

Jie Zheng struggles with the heat at this year’s Open.

Rafael Nadal cools down during a game break.

Now play will be halted when an ambient temperature hits 40C and a wet bulb reading of 32.5C is detected.

Australian Open chief Craig Tiley said more shade would be available at next month’s event but with more heatwaves likely a new policy was needed.

“We felt this was taking into consideration primarily our fans and what we believe is best for the playing group.”

Under the new policy, when the extreme heat rule is invoked play will stop on all outside courts once both players reach an even number of games or a tie break is completed, while play under all three roofed stadiums in the Melbourne Park precinct will continue.

How the traffic lights system works.

The policy was introduced with predictions of a major heatwave next January.

A record number of players retired from this year’s Open due to the heat, with several vomiting, fainting and cramping in furnace-like conditions.

Implementation of the new extreme policy will remain the responsibility of the tournament referee.

Meteorologist Bob Leighton predicted more hospitable conditions next month, forecasting five days over 30C, one at 40C and most at 26C or under.

The top 100 men’s and women’s players in the world are expected in Melbourne for the grand slam event, which starts on January 19.

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